Inverleigh co-coach Chris Moore has labelled last week’s season-opening loss a “reality check” after the Hawks got their premiership defence back on track with a 35-point win over Bell Post Hill at Myers Reserve.
Following a seven-goal-to-two opening term, Inverleigh were in control for most of the afternoon, grabbing the four points with a 14.11 (95) to 9.6 (60) victory.
The defeat at the hands of the Belmont Lions caught most in the local football world off-guard.
However, after playing only one practice match – against GFNL club Newtown & Chilwell’s reserves – Moore knew his team wouldn’t burst out of the blocks.
“I want to take nothing away from Belmont; they totally outplayed us,” he said.
“We knew we were going to be slow starters. Training-wise, we wanted to build into it.
“Obviously, (it was) a big reality check, and we had to put some things into place to try and get ourselves up to scratch a little bit earlier.”
After missing the opening round, veteran Adam Donohue made an immediate impact on his return.
He kicked eight goals in a vintage performance.
“‘Buck’ (Donohue) back up forward gave us a focal point,” Moore said.
“Our mids worked a lot harder than they did last week, and we put the score on the board, which we didn’t do last week.”
Moore was also pleased with the performance of big man Mason Dickson after a corked leg suffered in the first quarter ended the day of star ruck Luke Wilson.
“Kad McEwan-Walsh and Mason had to step up to share the ruck duties, but Mason also provided a really good target down forward,” he said.
“I think it was probably his best game for the club.”
Moore conceded Inverleigh struggled to run out the game after being outscored five goals to two in the final term.
“It shows our fitness isn’t where we need it to be,” he said.
“We had our opportunities in the third quarter, but we just didn’t have enough cohesion going forward.
“We definitely got outplayed in the last (quarter). But, in the third we left probably three or four goals in the bag that we should have got.”
Recruit Dylan Godwin impressed for the Panthers, along with Clancy McKay and Harry McIntyre, who finished with three goals.
GDFNL: ROUND 2 SCOREBOARD, LADDER, GOALKICKERS
East Geelong quickly overcame its surprise opening-round loss to Bell Post Hill, outscoring Thomson every quarter to a comfortable 49-point win at Godfrey Street.
The Eagles opened their account with a 12.16 (88) to 5.9 (39) victory.
Austin Mulvahil was again lively in front of goals for East with three goals, while Will Hough and Lachie Zimmer kicked two apiece.
Recruit Jacob Sobey and Tim Lee impressed for the Eagles.
Former Leopold and Geelong West power forward Lucas Boyd and Charley Donohue kicked two goals for the Tigers.
Darcy Troop and Daniel Mowat battled hard for Paul Lynch’s men.
Belmont Lions have started a season 2-0 for the first time since winning their lone premiership in 2007 after beating Corio by 11 points in a high-quality contest at Winter Reserve.
Scores were level at the final change before a 6.6 to 5.1 proved enough for the Lions to record a 16.15 (111) to 15.10 (100) victory.
Young gun Brock Mahoney kicked three goals, and Josh Allen, Ben Evans and Lewis McDonald two apiece for the winners.
North Shore recruit Herschelle Carr did all he could to lift the Devils over the line with a six-goal haul, while Destyn Burns managed three majors.
Werribee Centrals have headed back up the highway with their second narrow win in as many weeks after holding off Geelong West at West Oval by 11 points.
In a low-scoring affair, the Centurions led at every change to claim a 9.10 (64) to 8.5 (53) result.
Recruit Kur Kur again kicked three goals for Centrals, with Josh McDonald contributing two. Co-captains Michael Culliver and Daryl Chesterman were standouts for the winners.
Matt Ianelli was best in front of goal for West with three goals. Ako Warakea and Zach Rowarth were the Giants’ best.
Peter Riccardi has his first win as coach of North Geelong after the Magpies held off a final-quarter surge from Anakie to sneak home by 12 points at Keith Barclay Oval.
A five-goal-to-two second quarter proved decisive in the 10.12 (72) to 9.6 (60) result.
Jayme Gilmore kicked three goals for the Roos, whose best were Joel Jahn and Luke Dahlhaus.
Former North Shore duo Patrick Cleary and Harry Cornelius were stars for North Geelong, with Johnny Fazio and Blake Miller kicking two goals each.
Under the lights of Eastern Reserve, Bannockburn remained undefeated and kept Winchelsea winless with a thrilling nine-point victory, 9.12 (66) to 8.9 (57).
Scores were tied at three-quarter time before the Tigers kicked the only two goals of the final term.
Leigham Elzinga kicked two goals for Bannockburn, with fellow Geelong Falcons James Hose and Ryan Perkins impressing on their return from the Talent League.
Tom Moloney almost carried the Blues to victory with a five-goal haul, with Caleb Brown and Luke Henry also standouts.
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